u/FortRhein

Went out fishing in my canoe, got a couple good bass as the sun was setting and switched from targeting bass/pike to panfish after night set in.

I got a big bite on my favorite small crankbait that I've caught about 50 fish with this year and worked it in, turns out I'd nabbed what was surely a trophy-sized pike, easily the biggest I've seen so far. Brought it up to the side of the boat where I could see it easily with the lights on the canoe and my headlamp.

I knew if I tried to lift it in without a net it would break the line and maybe the rod, but I also knew it wouldn't fit in the fly fishing net I use in the canoe. Had to try, so I brought the net underneath it to lift it into the boat with the net and the line and deal with it once it was in.

As soon as the net touched it, it started thrashing. A second and a half later it was gone, snapping my line and taking my favorite lure with it.

Bastard. Guess I have to go back for it.